Chapter 41 Chapter Forty-One

Noble gentlemen, listen to me, Although your status is high, you are not as happy as us! Come and see our entertainment, in the shade of every tree, In every happy wood, we welcome you. McDonald [Note: Alexander.Macdonald, Scottish Highland poet. 】 The new arrivals were Wilfred of Ivanhoe on Elder Bodolph's pony, and Gerd Four on the knight's own steed.Ivanhoe was surprised to find that his master's body was covered with little blood, and there were six or seven corpses lying across the small open space where the fierce battle had just taken place.He was equally astonished to find that Richard surrounded himself with so many men, all outwardly good men of the forest, and therefore naturally dangerous squires to a sovereign.He hesitated, not knowing whether it was better to call him king or knight in black armor, and he didn't know what attitude he should adopt.Richard saw his difficulty.

Don't be afraid, Wilfred, said he, call me Richard Plantagenet; these people around me have a true English heart, only English blood drives them a little off normal track. Sir Wilfred of Ivanhoe, the valiant chief, came forward and said, Our lord has said it all, and I need add nothing; yet I want to say proudly that in a troubled people No one in the world could be more loyal than those standing around him now. That is something I cannot doubt, brave man, said Wilfred, because you are one of them.But what of these signs of death and danger, these slain men, and the blood on my king's armor?

Rebellion came to my side, Ivanhoe, the king said, thanks to these brave athletes, rebellion has received its due retribution.But now that I think about it, you are also a rebel, laughed Richard, a rebel who disobeyed orders; because my express order to you is to recuperate in St. Bodolphe's hermitage until you recover from your injuries. . I've healed up, Ivanhoe said, with only a small wound left, which is completely fine.But why, sire, why do you torment the heart of your loyal servant?You travel long distances alone, making your noble life go through hardships and dangers, as if its value is similar to that of a knight who wanders the rivers and lakes. He just needs to go all over the world with a gun and a sword to fight against the strong and help the weak.

Richard the Plantagenet wanted nothing more than fame with his spear and sword, said the king, Richard the Plantagenet felt that with his sword alone, with all his strength, he was victorious through life and death It is even more proud to lead thousands of warriors to fight on the battlefield. But your kingdom, sire, said Ivanhoe, your kingdom is threatened with disintegration and civil war; if your subjects lose their king, they must be ravaged by all kinds of evil forces, how can you just go on alone, How about ignoring the danger, just like the near-unexpected fight just now? Ah!Ah!My kingdom and my subjects!Richard replied impatiently, I tell you, Sir Wilfrid, that the best of them know only as much as I do.For example, my most loyal servant, Wilfred of Ivanhoe, disobeyed my express orders, and taught his king because he would not follow his advice fully.Which of the two of us has reason to accuse the other?But my faithful Wilfred, please forgive me.The reason why I must remain anonymous during this time, as I have explained to you at St. Bodolphe's Abbey, is to give my friends and loyal nobles time to muster their armies, so that news of Richard's return When he proclaimed, he had a mighty army that could make our enemies tremble, and make them bow their heads and give up their treasonous intentions without even drawing our swords.Estottville and Bohun were not strong enough to attack York in twenty-four hours.I must await news from Salisbury from the south, Beecham from Warwickshire, and Marlton and Passy from the north.My Prime Minister must keep London in his hands.Too hasty to show up will put me in danger, that's not backed by brave Robin Hood's bow and arrows, Brother Tuck's iron headed stick, and Wang Ba's horn, my spear and sword can be invincible up.

Wilfrid bowed his head in obedience, fully aware that it was no use arguing with this fanatical chivalry, which so often put his master in danger, though it could have been so easily avoided, and sometimes even make him take unforgivable risks.So the young knight sighed and fell silent.Richard was glad at last to spare his vassal, yet in his heart he admitted that he was right in what he had accused him; and he went on talking to Robin Hood, King of the Greenwood, said he, Can you give Does your king offer some refreshments?Because these ghosts have left me exhausted and hungry. To be honest, the strong man replied, I was too embarrassed to dedicate it to His Majesty, because our dry food is mainly because he has shut up, and it seems a little embarrassing.

I think it's preserved deer?Richard said with great joy that there is no better food when you are hungry.If a king does not want to stay in the country and hunts by himself, and someone else hunts it and sends it to him, I think he has no reason to object. In this case, your Majesty is invited to visit one of Robin Hood’s meeting places again. Robin Hood said that not only will you not have to worry about eating preserved deer there, but you can also get a large glass of beer and even good wine to whet your appetite. So the strong man led the way, and the king followed joyfully; and he was more delighted to meet Robin Hood and his green men this time, than perhaps he was happier to be crowned again and sit among princes and ministers.Fresh social activities and adventure experiences are the greatest joy of Richard the Lionheart. If he encounters difficulties and obstacles, it will be even more unusual and unique to him.In Richard the Lionheart, the radiant and indomitable personality of the legendary hero is fully embodied and vividly expressed; , Foresight decision-making, more moving.Thus his dominion streaked the sky like bright and swift meteors, radiating radiance, but a superfluous and startling spectacle, vanishing in an instant into the boundless darkness.His knightly feats became the subject of folk singers and troubadours, but they did not bring any real benefit to his country, and provided history with a memorable example that can be followed by future generations.But in the present group, Richard really enjoyed himself, satisfying his fantasies to the greatest extent.He is naturally optimistic, cheerful, and likes to touch every class of life.

Under a tall oak tree, a feast in the woods for the King of England was arranged at once; those around him who had been outlaws to his government now constituted his court and guard.As the jug was passed, the rough Children of the Forest soon lost their fear of the King's presence.There was singing and talking and laughing, and the stories of the past were told with fantastic twists and turns; and finally, while boasting of their respective illegal activities, no one would remember that the man sitting before them was the natural defender of the law.The king was also laughing and laughing, just like these companions, without any regard for his dignity, laughing, drinking, and making fun with everyone.Although Robin Hood was rude, his natural vigilance made him hope that the scene would end quickly, so as not to cause trouble, especially when he noticed that Ivanhoe looked worried, so he secretly said to him: We are very honored by the king's presence, However, his country is busy, and it may not be appropriate to waste too much time.

Brave Robin Hood, you understand your point, and speak quite rightly, whispered Wilfred. You know, joking with a king, even when he is in the best of moods, is like playing with a lion cub. It will rush towards you with its teeth and claws. That's what I'm worried about, said the strong man, my boys are rough and unruly, and the king is quick-tempered though he is kind; Seeing that this carnival should be over. It's up to you, brave fellow, Ivanhoe said, because if I try to do it, it will only backfire, and he will delay it instead. Shall I risk offending the king and losing his favor so soon?said Robin Hood, thinking it over, but by St. Christopher, this is what I should do.If I dare not risk it for him, I do not deserve his favor.Listen, Skarlock, run behind that clump of trees, and blow the Norman's horn with your horn, without a moment's delay, or I will punish you.

Skarlock immediately complied, and within five minutes his horn was heard by the drinking and merry-goers. This is the sound of Malvorcin's horn, said the miller, and at once sprang up, taking his bow and arrow.The monk also dropped the flagon and picked up the iron-headed wooden stick.Wang Ba stopped his joking and ran to get his sword and shield.All took up arms. The dangerous career they were engaged in prepared them at any moment to pass from drinking to fighting; but to Richard the transition was only a continuation of the joy.He ordered him the helm, and the most cumbersome things of the armor, which had been thrown together, were brought; and when Gerd put it on him, he gave Wilfred a stern order not to preempt the fight. , otherwise he will never be spared.

You've fought for me a hundred times, Wilfred, and I've seen it all.Please stand aside today and watch how Richard fights for his friends and courtiers. At this moment, Robin Hood sent out several subordinates, asking them to scout the enemy's movements separately.When he saw that the feast was over and his order was in force, he approached Richard in full robes, and knelt down on one knee, begging his majesty's forgiveness. Why, my good leader?said Richard, impatiently, have I not already promised to pardon you for all transgressions?Do you think that my words are so worthless, that I can say them casually and take them back at will?But since then, you probably haven't had time to commit new crimes, have you?

No, I have committed it, replied the chief, I have committed the crime of deceit, but for your majesty's sake.The trumpet you hear is not Malvorcin's, but I ordered it to be blown, to stop the banquet, lest it take up any more of your precious time. Then he stood up, folded his hands, and waited for the king's reply with an air more respectful than timid, like a man who realizes that he may have made a mistake, yet believes that his motives are justifiable.Richard was a little angry, and his face flushed, but it was only for a moment, and the sense of justice immediately prevailed. The King of the Sherwood Forest is reluctant to give the King of England his preserved deer and fine wine!He said, well, brave Robin Hood!But when you come to see me in happy London, I promise my master will not be so mean as you.But you are right, my man.Let's get on our horses and go, Wilfred is getting impatient.Tell me, brave Robin Hood, has there never been one of your men who not only speaks to you, but intervenes directly in your actions, and begs with a sad face if you don't listen to him? I have one too, said Robin Hood, and that is my lieutenant, Little John, but he's gone away to the Scottish Borders now.I admit to your majesty that I am sometimes annoyed at his nonsense, but then I can't be angry when I think he has no other motive than loyalty. You are right, good farmer, Richard replied, if I have Ivanhoe on one side, always moaning, frowning, and admonishing me bluntly, I have you on the other side, it is said that for me Play tricks, and I'll be as free as any king in Christendom or pagan world.But for now, let's go merrily to Fort Conings without any further talk of that. Robin Hood told them that he had sent out a detachment to scout the road they passed, and would notify them if any ambush was discovered; alert, and could turn back at once, for he would meet them along the same route with a detachment of elite archers. Richard was so moved by these careful and careful dispositions for the safety of the king, that all resentment he might have had at the chief's little artifice in order to deceive him into setting off, was now thoroughly dispelled.Once more he held out his hand to Robin Hood, assuring him that he had fully forgiven him, and would do him more favors, for he had made up his mind to limit the cruelty of the Forest Laws and other despotisms which drove so many English farmers to Go to a dead end and take risks.But Richard's good intentions to the brave leader were not realized because of the untimely death of the king; John, after he came to the throne as his heroic brother's heir, only reluctantly signed the forest charter out of helplessness.The rest of Robin Hood's life, and the story of his assassination, is to be found in the cheap folk-tales and ballads printed in black type, cheap as gold. The leader's prediction was correct. The king, accompanied by Ivanhoe, Ge Si and Wang Ba, had a safe journey. Before the sun set on the horizon, Fort Coning was already in sight. The beauty and beauty surrounding this old Saxon castle are seldom seen in England.The calm Don River flows through a circular basin, where fields and lush trees intertwine; a plateau rises from the river, and the old castle stands on the top of the hill, surrounded by strong walls and moats .Judging from its Saxon name, it existed long before the Normans conquered England, and it had been the palace of several generations of British kings.The outer walls were probably added by the Normans, but the main building inside has very old features.It stood on a mound at one corner of the inner court, and formed a complete circle, about twenty-five feet in diameter.The walls are very thick and are surrounded by six large buttresses, which protrude beyond the circle and are built along the sides of the tower, as if to reinforce or support the walls.These thick buttresses were solid, rising from the foundations, much higher than the main building; but they were hollow at the top, forming a sort of tower, leading to the interior of the main building.The imposing structure, with its distinctive buttresses, is fascinating from a distance, just as the castle's interior can satisfy the interest of archaeologists, taking their imaginations as far back as the Seven Kingdoms.Not far from the castle is an ancient tomb, which is said to be the mausoleum of the memorable Hengist; in the nearby cemetery there are also various steles, all very old and strange. When the Lionheart and his retinue came to this humble, stately building, it was not as it is now, without the barbicans around.All the skill of the Saxon architects at that time was to make the walls of the main building strong and solid, and there was no wall around it, only a rough wooden fence. A great black flag was hoisted on the top of the castle, showing that the funeral for its late master was still going on.It contained no symbols of the ancestry or status of the deceased, for heraldic markings were then a novelty among Norman knights, and still less among the Saxons.But over the gate another flag flew, and on it was a crude white horse, the famous emblem of Hengist and his Saxon warriors, and it indicated the nation and status of the dead man. There was a bustling scene around the castle, because such funeral banquets were always extravagant and ostentatious, and not only those who were related to the deceased, but even travelers passing by were invited to attend.The late Athelstan was both a rich man and a person of status, so when encountering such a thing, he would naturally handle it with extra grandeur. So the hill on which the castle stood was filled with people going up and down; the gates of the outer barrier were left open and unguarded, and what the king and his entourage had seen of the clearing after they had entered , but it is not commensurate with the funeral that is being held.In one place, cooks were busy roasting big bulls and fat goats; in another, barrels of beer were being drilled so that guests could drink them freely.The motley crowd was busy eating and drinking, gobbling and consuming copious amounts of food and wine.The bare-chested Saxon serfs seem to have to satisfy their hunger and thirst for half a year by eating and drinking for a day; the better-off citizens and craftsmen taste their food with relish, or carefully judge the concentration of ale and brewing techniques.A few of the poorer Norman gentlemen, all clean-shaven and in short coats, were also recognizable among the guests, and gathered together in solitary contempt for the whole funeral. Even though for this sumptuous meal, they had no choice but to condescend and come to watch the ceremony. Of course, there are twenty or thirty beggars gathered here; there are also (at least according to their own) stragglers who have returned from Palestine; peddlers are selling their wares, wandering craftsmen are looking for employers; Pilgrims and magicians, Saxon troubadours and Welsh folk-singers whispered prayers and sang out-of-key dirges on harps, fiddles or banjos.One sang the praises of Athelstan in a mournful voice, the other composed a Saxon genealogy, reciting the gnawing names of his noble ancestors.There were also jokers and jugglers, and no one thought it inappropriate or inappropriate for them to perform on the occasion.Indeed, the Saxon conception of mourning was crude and natural.If the mourners are thirsty, there is wine, if they are hungry, there is food; if they are too sad and depressed, there are means of entertainment, or at least distraction.Even those who attend funerals will occasionally come to join in the fun and have fun, but sometimes they seem to suddenly remember the reason for coming here, so the men will sigh together, and a large number of women will suddenly open their throats and cry shrilly stand up. Such was the state of affairs in the yard when Richard and his retinue entered Fort Conings.Inferior guests often came in and out, and the deacons or stewards generally didn't bother to ask unless it was necessary to maintain order; however, the dignified appearance of the king and Ivanhoe made him look at each other differently, especially the appearance of the latter, which he felt familiar. Had to pay extra attention.What's more, judging from their attire, they were all knights. The presence of two knights at the same time was rare for a Saxon funeral, and it was a special honor for the deceased and his family.So this important family member wearing mourning clothes and holding a white scepter immediately squeezed through the colorful guests and brought Richard and Ivanhoe to the entrance of the main building.As for Ge Si and Wang Ba, they met a few acquaintances as soon as they entered the courtyard, so they didn't want to go any further before they were officially summoned.